Page 107 of Bound to a Monster

I get half a block away before Luca catches up with me. He’s breathing hard and looks at me, and he buries me in a big hug. “It’s okay,” he says, rubbing my back. “He’s just a dick.”

“I know.”

“You all good?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really? A year ago, a fight like that with Dad would’ve set you off.” He leans back, studying me. “But you seem fine.”

“That’s because I’m good. Really, I’m moving on.”

He nods slowly. “Good for you, Carmie.”

“Took me long enough.”

“We all move at our own pace.”

I take my time as I stroll back toward Lev’s house, which is my house too, and I feel better than I’ve felt in years. My father hates me, and that’s okay.

His opinion isn’t important anymore.

But mine is.

Chapter 43

Carmie

Two Months Later

Sofie flopsdown into the booth next to me and clinks her wine glass against my water. “O Canada, O Canada,” she sings, but since those are the only words she knows, she keeps saying them over and over.

“You sound like a frog,” Gia says, beaming and leaning forward.

“I do not!” Sofie frowns a bit. “Okay, maybe a little.”

“We all know I’ve got the pipes in the group.” Frannie’s on Gia’s side and has her legs stretched out. She’s glassy-eyed from one too many drinks but grinning like a maniac. Despite her pathetic lack of texting skills, she’s actually drop-dead gorgeous: thick, dark hair, full lips, a nose a surgeon would be jealous of, the sort of body that I’ve had to work for but comes totally naturally to her. Frannie comes across like a goon via phone since she generally hates technology, but she’s brilliant and pretty in person.

“If I have to hear you sing one more Taylor Swift song, I swear—” Gia starts.

“It’s not over yet,” Frannie declares. “The Swift shall rise again!” She raises her drink, spills some of it, and laughs as she drinks down the rest.

Sofie leans her head on my shoulder. She’s the soberest of the group. Small, funny, outgoing Sofie, with a huge personality in opposition to her tiny little frame. “We’re going to get kicked out.”

“Don’t worry, they know me here.” Mostly because Le Chat Noir is one of Lev’s latest Canadian business ventures. “I think we’re good.”

“Speaking of good,” Gia says loudly. She’s scanning the crowd, her dark blonde hair bouncing as she moves up and down in her seat. “Where’s that husband of yours? I thought you said he was going to show up.”

“You scared him off.”

“Ah, come on, we’re not that bad,” Frannie protests. “I’m a delight once you get to know me.”

“You’re all a bunch of terrors,” I say, beaming at them.

“Speaking of terror.” Frannie sits up straight and nods into the crowded bar. “Look atthem.” She starts drooling over a group of enormous guys with thick flows, and I’d bet my right hand they’re professional hockey players or something.

“Go easy!” Gia calls as Frannie slips out of the booth, clearly on the hunt. She sighs and follows. “I’d better make sure she doesn’t kill someone.”

Once they’re gone, I wrap an arm around Sofie. She seems really relaxed for once and I love it. Normally, she’s extremely high-strung and bouncing off the walls, but it’s like the second she left Philly behind, suddenly she can calm down a bit.

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